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The international Muon Ionization Cooling Experiment (MICE) will perform a systematic investigation of ionization cooling with muon beams of momentum between 140 and 240 MeV/c at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory ISIS facility. The measurement of ionization cooling in MICE relies on the selection of a pure sample of muons that traverse the experiment. To make this selection, the MICE Muon Beam is designed to deliver a beam of muons with less than ∼1% contamination. To make the final muon selection, MICE employs a particle-identification (PID) system upstream and downstream of the cooling cell. The PID system includes time-of-flight hodoscopes, threshold-Cherenkov counters and calorimetry. The upper limit for the pion contamination measured in this paper is fπ < 1.4% at 90% C.L., including systematic uncertainties. Therefore, the MICE Muon Beam is able to meet the stringent pion-contamination requirements of the study of ionization cooling.

The Muon Ionization Cooling Experiment (MICE) will perform a detailed study of ionization cooling to evaluate the feasibility of the technique. To carry out this program, MICE requires an efficient particle-identification (PID) system to identify muons. The Electron-Muon Ranger (EMR) is a fully-active tracking-calorimeter that forms part of the PID system and tags muons that traverse the cooling channel without decaying. The detector is capable of identifying electrons with an efficiency of 98.6%, providing a purity for the MICE beam that exceeds 99.8%. The EMR also proved to be a powerful tool for the reconstruction of muon momenta in the range 100-280 MeV/c.

A novel single-particle technique to measure emittance has been developed and used to characterise seventeen different muon beams for the Muon Ionisation Cooling Experiment (MICE). The muon beams, whose mean momenta vary from 171 to 281 MeV/c, have emittances of approximately 1.2-2.3 π mm-rad horizontally and 0.6-1.0 π mm-rad vertically, a horizontal dispersion of 90-190 mm and momentum spreads of about 25 MeV/c. There is reasonable agreement between the measured parameters of the beams and the results of simulations. The beams are found to meet the requirements of MICE. © 2013 The Author(s).

A novel single-particle technique to measure emittance has been developed and used to characterise seventeen different muon beams for the Muon Ionisation Cooling Experiment (MICE). The muon beams, whose mean momenta vary from 171 to 281 MeV/c, have emittances of approximately 1.2-2.3 π mm-rad horizontally and 0.6-1.0 π mm-rad vertically, a horizontal dispersion of 90-190 mm and momentum spreads of about 25 MeV/c. There is reasonable agreement between the measured parameters of the beams and the results of simulations. The beams are found to meet the requirements of MICE. © 2013 The Author(s).

Objective To examine the concurrent validity of the Technogym MyWellness Key accelerometer against objective and subjective physical activity (PA) measures. Design Randomised, cross-sectional design with two phases. The laboratory phase compared the MyWellness Key with the ActiGraph GT1M and the Yamax SW200 Digiwalker pedometer during graded treadmill walking, increasing speed each minute. The free-living phase compared the MyWellness Key with the ActiGraph, Digiwalker, Bouchard Activity cord (BAR) and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) for seven continuous days. Data were analysed using Spearman rank-order correlation coefficients for all comparisons. Setting Laboratory and free-living phases. Participants Sixteen participants randomly stratified from 41 eligible respondents by sex (n=8 men; n=8 women) and PA levels (n=4 low, n=8 middle and n=4 high active). Results There was a strong association between the MyWellness Key and the ActiGraph accelerometer during controlled graded treadmill walking (r=0.91, p<0.01) and in free-living settings (r=0.73-0.76 for light to vigorous PA, respectively, p<0.01). No associations were observed between the MyWellness Key and the BAR and GPAQ (p>0.05). Conclusions The MyWellness Key has a high concurrent validity with the ActiGraph accelerometer to detect PA in both controlled laboratory and free-living settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Cottonseed oil (CSO) is higher in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and saturated fatty acids (SFAs) than many liquid plant oils., Objectives: To conduct a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining effects of CSO on markers of lipid metabolism and evaluate lipid and lipoprotein effects of incorporating CSO into a healthy dietary pattern using regression equations., Data Sources: A systematic search was conducted for RCTs comparing CSO with a non-CSO comparator in any population., Data Analyses: The Katan regression equation was used to predict lipid/lipoprotein changes when incorporating CSO into a US-style healthy eating pattern at 25 to 100% of the total oil allowance (ie, 27 g/2000 kcal) compared with average American intake (NHANES 2017 to 2020 pre-COVID pandemic)., Results: In total, 3 eligible publications (n = 2 trials), with 58 participants that provided 44% and 30% of total energy as CSO, were included. Fasting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; ≈ -7.7 mg/dL) and triglycerides (≈ -7.5 mg/dL) were lower after 5 days of a CSO-enriched diet vs olive oil (OO). In a 56-day trial, CSO lowered total cholesterol (TC; ≈ -14.8 mg/dL), LDL-C (≈ -14.0 mg/dL), and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (≈ -14.2 mg/dL) vs OO. Postprandially, angiopoietin-like protein-3, -4, and -8 concentrations decreased with CSO and increased with OO intake. Compared with average American intake, a healthy eating pattern with 27 g of CSO was estimated to lower TC (-8.1 mg/dL) and LDL-C (-7.3 mg/dL) levels, with minimal reduction in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-1.1 mg/dL). Compared with the healthy eating pattern, incorporating 27 g of CSO was predicted to increase TC and LDL-C levels by 2.4 mg/dL., Conclusion: Limited high-quality research suggests CSO may improve lipid/lipoprotein levels compared with OO. Cholesterol predictive equations suggest CSO can be incorporated into a healthy dietary pattern without significantly affecting lipids/lipoproteins., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Life Sciences Institute.)

Background: Nut intake is associated with better glycemic control and lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. It remains unclear if nut intake timing affects glycemic control and CVD risk factors. Intake of pistachios as a nighttime snack may attenuate morning glucose production and lower fasting plasma glucose (FPG)., Objectives: We assessed the effects of a nighttime (after dinner and before bedtime) pistachio snack (57 g/d) on glycemic control markers, vascular health, lipids/lipoproteins, and diet quality compared with education to consume 1-2 carbohydrate (CHO) exchanges (usual care) in individuals with prediabetes., Methods: A 2-period, randomized crossover trial was conducted. Participants were provided 57 g/d of dry roasted unsalted pistachios (319 kcal; fat 26 g; CHO 16 g; protein 12 g; fiber 6 g) as a nighttime snack or received usual care for 12 wk. Primary (FPG) and secondary outcomes [hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin, Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), lipids/lipoproteins, vascular health, and Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015)] were measured before and after each condition., Results: A total of 66 participants (50.9 ± 11.6 y, FPG: 106.2 ± 6.4 mg/dL) were randomly assigned, and 51 participants completed the trial. No between-condition differences in FPG {0.9 mg/dL [95% confidence interval (CI): -1.2, 3.1]}, HbA1c, insulin, HOMA-IR, lipids/lipoproteins, blood pressure, or vascular health were observed. The HEI-2015 score was higher after the pistachio condition [6.8 points (95% CI: 1.5, 12.1)] than after usual care driven by higher component scores for seafood and plant proteins [2.0 points (95% CI: 1.0, 2.9)], refined grains [2.3 points (95% CI: 1.1, 3.5)], and the fatty acid ratio [1.7 points (95% CI: 0.0, 3.5)]., Conclusions: In adults with prediabetes, consuming 57 g/d of pistachios as a nighttime snack increased diet quality but had similar effects on glycemic markers, lipids/lipoproteins, blood pressure, and vascular health compared with the usual care comparator. Pistachios may be a healthful alternative to carbohydrate-rich nighttime snacks to increase alignment with Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04056208., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A robust negative association exists between self-reported posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and self-reported interpersonal relationship functioning. However, the extent to which each member of a dyad's subjective PTSD ratings influence the other's subjective relationship functioning ratings is less understood. The present study tested: (a) associations between self- and partner-PTSD severity ratings and relationship functioning ratings and (b) whether exposure to the index trauma, gender, and relationship type (i.e., intimate vs. nonintimate dyad) moderated these associations in a sample of 104 dyads of individuals with PTSD and a close significant other. Each partners' ratings of PTSD severity were uniquely and positively associated with their own (actor) and their partner's ratings of relationship conflict, but not support or depth. Gender moderated the partner effect; women's (but not men's) subjective PTSD severity were positively associated with their partners' subjective relationship conflict. There was a relationship type by actor effect interaction for relationship support, which indicated that perceptions of PTSD severity were negatively associated with each partner's perceptions of relationship support for intimate but not nonintimate dyads. Results support a dyadic conceptualization of PTSD in which both partners' perception of symptoms are important for relationship functioning. Conjoint therapies may be particularly potent for PTSD and relationship functioning. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Background: The role of interpersonal relationship functioning in trauma recovery is well-established. However, much of this research has been done with cross-sectional samples, often years after trauma exposure, using self-report methodology only, and is focused on intimate relationship adjustment., Methods: The current study investigated the longitudinal associations between interpersonal (intimate and non-intimate) relationship functioning and clinician- and self-reported posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in 151 recently (within the past 6 months) traumatized individuals. Participants were assessed at four time points over 1 year., Results: Approximately 53% of the sample was diagnosed with PTSD at initial assessment, with declining rates of diagnostic status over time to 16%. Latent difference score (LDS) modeling revealed nonlinear declines in both clinician-assessed and self-reported PTSD symptom severity, with faster declines in earlier periods. Likewise, LDS models revealed nonlinear declines in negative (conflict) aspects of interpersonal relationship functioning, but linear declines in positive (support, depth) aspects. The relationship between PTSD and relationship functioning differed for clinician- and self-reported PTSD. Bivariate LDS modeling revealed significant cross-lagged effects from relationship conflict to clinician-assessed PTSD, and significant cross-lagged effects from self-reported PTSD to relationship conflict over time., Conclusions: These results highlight that the variability in prior results may be related to the method of assessing PTSD symptomatology and different relational constructs. Implications for theory and early intervention are discussed.

Research has established that social factors are integral to trauma recovery. Yet, there is relatively little data on the association between social interactions from different supports and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Moreover, few studies have measured these factors from multiple informants. This paper examined social interactions from different sources (i.e., negative and positive reactions from a chosen close other [CO], family/friends, and general non-COs) and their association with PTSD symptoms using multi-informant reports of the social constructs (i.e., from the individual exposed to trauma [TI] and their CO). Participants (N = 104 dyads) were recruited from an urban center within 6 months of the TIs' exposure to a traumatic event. TIs were assessed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale. TI self-report, t(97) = 2.58, p = .012, and CO collateral report of disapproval from family/friends, t(97) = 2.14, p = .035, and TI self-report of general disapproval, t(97) = 4.91, p < .001, emerged as significant predictors of PTSD symptoms when compared with other social constructs. Interventions that target family members' and friends' reactions to trauma survivors and societal discourse around trauma and reactions to trauma survivors are recommended. Clinical interventions that buffer against TIs' experiences of disapproval and guide COs on the provision of supportive responses are discussed., (© 2023 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.)

Purpose/objectives: To examine the extent to which religious/spiritual coping moderates the association between stress appraisals and hope among patients with colorectal cancer., Design/research Approach: A longitudinal, prospective examination of hope, stress appraisals of cancer, and religious/spiritual coping through self-report questionnaires at baseline, 6-months, and 12-months post-surgery., Sample/participants: One hundred thirty-nine newly diagnosed patients with colorectal cancer recruited from tertiary medical centers., Findings: Challenge and threat appraisals predicted hope. Only the relationship between hope and challenge appraisals was significantly moderated by coping through religion/spirituality, such that those who were both low on challenge and low in religious/spiritual coping reported the lowest hope., Conclusions/interpretation: Hope is predicted by how people appraise their cancer. Hope was lowest among participants who reported both low challenge appraisals and religious/spiritual coping., Implications for Psychosocial Providers: Understanding how patients appraise their cancer and use religion/spirituality to cope may help providers understand which patients are at risk for low hope.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the influence of acute resistance exercise (RE) and biological sex on subjective gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, GI epithelial damage, and GI permeability in resistance-trained males and females., Methods: Thirty resistance-trained men ( n = 15) and women ( n = 15) completed an RE bout and a nonexercise control (CON) session in a randomized counterbalanced design. The RE protocol used a load of 70% one-repetition maximum for 4 sets of 10 repetitions with a 90-s rest period length between sets and a 120-s rest period between exercises (squat, seated shoulder press, deadlift, bent-over row, and leg press). Blood samples were collected before exercise (PRE), immediately postexercise (IP), and 15-, 30-, and 60-min postexercise. Participants completed GI symptom questionnaires to assess subjective GI symptoms PRE, IP, and 60-min postexercise. Blood samples were assayed to quantify small intestine damage (I-FABP) and GI permeability (lactulose-rhamnose [L/R] ratio). Data were analyzed via separate repeated-measures ANOVA, and area under the curve (AUC) analyses were completed via one-way ANOVA., Results: Participants reported greater GI symptoms in RE at IP compared with CON ( P < 0.001) with 70% of participants reporting at least one GI symptom with no differences between sexes. Nausea was the most reported GI symptom (63.3%), followed by vomiting (33.3%). I-FABP and L/R ratio did not exhibit differential responses between conditions. However, L/R ratio AUC was greater in males after RE than male CON ( P = 0.002) and both conditions for females ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, I-FABP AUC in the male RE condition was greater than both female conditions ( P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Resistance-trained individuals experience GI distress after RE, with males incurring the greatest increases in markers of GI damage and permeability., (Copyright © 2022 by the American College of Sports Medicine.)

Objective: There is limited research examining how change in cancer-related fatigue (CRF) over time predicts change in health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and no studies have examined this relationship in ovarian cancer patients, specifically. The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence and trajectory of CRF over time and examine how change in CRF over time predicts change in HRQOL in ovarian cancer patients., Methods: Ovarian cancer patients (N = 202) were recruited from Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Canada. Consenting participants completed measures at baseline (beginning of study) and again three months later. Data were analyzed using a longitudinal multilevel mixed model design., Results: Four groups of CRF trajectories emerged. Fifty-four percent reported CRF as always present, 16% reported CRF subsided, 21% reported CRF developed, and 9% reported CRF as never present. As CRF developed, functional and physical wellbeing decreased. As CRF subsided, functional, physical, and emotional wellbeing improved. CRF trajectory was not associated with change in social wellbeing over time., Conclusions: Our findings suggest CRF negatively impacts all domains of HRQOL except for social wellbeing in ovarian cancer patients. Among patients who reported that CRF improved over time, all HRQOL domains impacted by CRF showed recovery to normal endorsement rates. Among patients who reported development of CRF, impacted HRQOL domains significantly declined over time. Implications from this research indicate that fatigue management should be prioritized during and after cancer treatment to ensure optimal physical, functional, and emotional wellbeing., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A healthy eating pattern is recommended for all life stages and is central to achieving optimal pregnancy outcomes and successful lactation. The preconception period is a critical window of time during which good nutritional status benefits both the mother and the offspring. The ongoing overweight and obesity epidemic, especially in conjunction with poor nutritional status, presents maternal and infant health risks. Preconception and postpartum weight loss are routinely recommended in clinical practice. In this review, we discuss the nutritional recommendations for healthy weight loss during these periods. Unhealthy weight loss during preconception and for lactating women, can cause adverse maternal consequences that can impact the offspring., (Copyright © 2022 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this investigation was to compare changes in circulating lymphocyte subset cell counts between high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), sprint interval exercise (SIE), and moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE). Recreationally active men (n ​= ​11; age: 23 ​± ​4 ​yr; height: 179.9 ​± ​4.5 ​cm; body mass: 79.8 ​± ​8.7 ​kg; body fat %:12.6 ​± ​3.8%; V̇O 2 max: 46.6 ​± ​3.9 ​ml⋅kg -1 ⋅min -1 ) completed a maximal graded exercise test to determine maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O 2 max) and three duration-matched cycling trials (HIIE, SIE, and MICE) in a randomized, counterbalanced fashion. HIIE consisted of fifteen 90-s bouts at 85% V̇O 2 max interspersed with 90-s active recovery periods. SIE consisted of fifteen 20-s bouts at 130% maximal power and 160-s active recovery periods. MICE was a continuous bout at 65% V̇O 2 max. Total exercise duration was 53 ​min in all three trials, including warm-up and cool-down. Blood was collected before, immediately post, 30 ​min, 2 ​h, 6 ​h, and 24 ​h post-exercise. Changes in lymphocyte subset counts, and surface expression of various markers were analyzed via flow cytometry. Changes were assessed using mixed model regression analysis with an autoregressive first order repeated measures correction. Significant decreases were observed in absolute counts of CD56 dim NK cells, CD19 + B cells, CD4 + T cells, and CD8 + T cells 30 ​min and 24-h post-exercise in all three trials. Despite resulting in greater total work and oxygen consumption, MICE elicited similar changes in lymphocyte subset counts and receptor expression compared to both SIE and HIIE. Similarly, while the two interval trials resulted in differing oxygen consumption and total work, no differences in the lymphocyte response were observed. Though both forms of exercise resulted in declines in circulating lymphocyte cell counts, neither exercise type provides an immune-related advantage when matched for duration., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2022 The Authors.)

Purpose: To determine the effects of dietary nitrate supplementation, in the form of red spinach extract (RSE), on adaptations to offseason training in collegiate athletes. Methods: Sixteen Division I male baseball athletes (20.5 ± 1.7y, 90.4 ± 0.5 kg) enrolled in this study and were randomized into a RSE ( n  = 8) or placebo ( n  = 8; PL) group. Athletes completed an 11-week resistance training program during the offseason, which consisted of 2-3 workouts per week of upper and lower-body exercises and baseball-specific training. Athletes consumed a RSE (2 g; 180 mg nitrate) or PL supplement daily for the entire offseason training program. Pre and post-training, all athletes underwent one-repetition maximum (1RM) strength testing for the bench press and completed a Wingate anaerobic cycle test (WAnT). Body composition analysis was completed via a 4-compartment model, as well as muscle thickness (MT) measurement of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) via ultrasonography. Resting heart rate and blood pressure (BP) were also obtained. Separate repeated measures analyses of variance were used to analyze all data. Results: Significant ( p  ≤ 0.05) main effects for time were observed for improved bench 1RM, fat-free mass, body fat percentage, RF MT, and VL MT. No significant group x time interactions ( p  > 0.05) were found for any measure of performance, body composition, or cardiovascular health. However, a trend for improved peak power in the WAnT was observed ( p  = 0.095; η 2 =0.200). Conclusions: These data suggest that daily RSE supplementation had no effect on performance, body composition, or cardiovascular measures in male Division I baseball players following offseason training.

Background: Despite recommendations for reflex immunohistochemistry (IHC) for mismatch repair (MMR) proteins to identify Lynch syndrome (LS), the uptake of genetic assessment by those who meet referral criteria is low. The authors implemented a comprehensive genetic navigation program to increase the uptake of genetic testing for LS in patients with endometrial cancer (EC) or nonserous/nonmucinous ovarian cancer (OC)., Methods: Participants with newly diagnosed EC or OC were prospectively recruited from 3 cancer centers in Ontario, Canada. Family history questionnaires were used to assess LS-specific family history. Reflex IHC for MMR proteins was performed with the inclusion of clinical directives in pathology reports. A trained genetic navigator initiated a genetic referral on behalf of the treating physician and facilitated genetic referrals to the closest genetics center., Results: A total of 841 participants (642 with EC, 172 with OC, and 27 with synchronous EC/OC) consented to the study; 194 (23%) were MMR-deficient by IHC. Overall, 170 women (20%) were eligible for a genetic assessment for LS: 35 on the basis of their family history alone, 24 on the basis of their family history and IHC, 82 on the basis of IHC alone, and 29 on the basis of clinical discretion. After adjustments for participants who died (n = 6), 149 of 164 patients (91%) completed a genetic assessment, and 111 were offered and completed genetic testing. Thirty-four women (4.0% of the total cohort and 30.6% of those with genetic testing) were diagnosed with LS: 5 with mutL homolog 1 (MLH1), 9 with mutS homolog 2 (MSH2), 15 with mutS homolog 6 (MSH6), and 5 with PMS2., Conclusions: The introduction of a navigated genetic program resulted in a high rate of genetic assessment (>90%) in patients with gynecologic cancer at risk for LS., (© 2021 The Authors. Cancer published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Cancer Society.)

Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC) is an inherited cancer syndrome associated with high lifetime risk of diffuse-type gastric cancer. Current guidelines recommend individuals with HDGC undergo prophylactic total gastrectomy (PTG) to eliminate this risk. However, PTG is associated with significant lifestyle changes, post-surgical recovery, and symptom burden. This study examined factors related to decision-making about PTG in three groups of individuals who: (1) underwent PTG immediately after receiving genetic testing results; (2) delayed PTG by ≥ 1 year or; (3) declined PTG. Participants were recruited from a familial gastric cancer registry at a tertiary care hospital. Patients with CDH1 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants who contemplated and/or underwent PTG were eligible. 24 individuals contemplated PTG: 9 had immediate surgery (within a year), 8 delayed surgery, and 7 declined surgery. Data on PTG barriers and facilitators were obtained on all participants using quantitative surveys (n = 7), qualitative interviews (n = 8) or both methods (n = 9). PTG barriers included age, positive beliefs about screening, close relatives with negative PTG experiences, fertility-related concerns, and life stress. Facilitators included social support, trust in healthcare providers, understanding risk, negative beliefs about screening, family-related factors, positive or abnormal screening results, and positive attitude toward PTG. This study highlights factors related to the PTG decision-making process among individuals with HDGC from three distinct groups. Future research should explore educational interventions aimed at addressing surgery-related concerns and the limitations of screening, and might also consider incorporating close relatives as informational supports.

Canadian and American population-based research concerning sexual and/or gender minority populations provides evidence of persistent breast and gynecologic cancer-related health disparities and knowledge divides. The Cancer's Margins research investigates the complex intersections of sexual and/or gender marginality and incommensurabilities and improvisation in engagements with biographical and biomedical cancer knowledge. The study examines how sexuality and gender are intersectionally constitutive of complex biopolitical mappings of cancer health knowledge that shape knowledge access and its mobilization in health and treatment decision-making. Interviews were conducted with a diverse group (n=81) of sexual and/or gender minority breast or gynecologic cancer patients. The LGBQ//T2 cancer patient narratives we have analyzed document in fine grain detail how it is that sexual and/or gender minority cancer patients punctuate the otherwise lockstep assemblage of their cancer treatment decision-making with a persistent engagement in creative attempts to resist, thwart and otherwise manage the possibility of discrimination and likewise, the probability of institutional erasure in care settings. Our findings illustrate the demands that cancer places on LGBQ//T2 patients to choreograph access to, and mobilization of knowledge and care, across significantly distinct and sometimes incommensurable systems of knowledge.

Cancer is an interpersonal stressor affecting both patient and spouse. To examine the pathways that insecure adult attachment can impact health outcomes by way of dyadic processes, this cross-sectional study used the actor-partner interdependence mediation model to examine whether common dyadic coping (CDC) mediated the associations between attachment and quality of life (QOL). Couples (N = 106) facing ovarian cancer were recruited from a comprehensive cancer center and completed self-report questionnaires. Results indicated that worse social and functional QOL were associated with both one's own and one's partner's greater insecure attachment, by way of one's own use of less CDC. Unexpectedly, greater CDC reported by one's partner was associated with one's own lower functional QOL. Although CDC has beneficial effects on QOL, CDC may also be experienced as draining. Effects of adult attachment on dyadic coping are a significant contributor to subjective health outcomes among couples facing ovarian cancer.

Background: Lynch syndrome, a hereditary cancer syndrome, predisposes women to colorectal, endometrial, and ovarian cancer. Current guidelines recommend that women with Lynch syndrome undergo risk-reducing gynecological surgery to reduce their chances of developing endometrial or ovarian cancer. Little is known about how women with Lynch syndrome perceive gynecological cancer screening, or the psychosocial factors associated with screening attitudes and behaviour., Methods: This study used a cross-sectional, quantitative design. Using self-report questionnaire data from a sample of women with Lynch syndrome ( N  = 50) who had not undergone risk-reducing surgery, the current study sought to: 1) describe the gynecological cancer screening behaviours of women with Lynch syndrome, as well participant-reported sources of information about Lynch syndrome; 2) examine the extent to which women believe gynecological cancer screening is effective and provides them with reassurance and; 3) assess to what extent relationships with one's family physician were associated with gynecological cancer screening, perceptions about screening, and health self-efficacy. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman rank-ordered correlations., Results: Data analyses showed that transvaginal ultrasound was the most common screening behaviour (57%) followed by pelvic ultrasound (47%). Only 22% of participants underwent endometrial biopsy. Patient-physician relationships were related to greater health self-efficacy to manage Lynch syndrome and greater perceived effectiveness of gynecological screening. However, health self-efficacy and better patient-physician relationships were not associated with increased engagement in gynecological cancer screening., Conclusions: The data suggest that feeling efficacious about managing one's Lynch syndrome and screening is related to positive interactions and communication with one's family physician. While this is encouraging, future research should examine educating both family physicians and patients about current guidelines for Lynch syndrome gynecological screening recommendations., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Background: First-degree relatives (FDRs) of probands with colorectal cancer (CRC) may be at increased risk of CRC and require colonoscopy. Proband disclosure about this risk and need for colonoscopy is essential for FDRs to take appropriate action. Low colonoscopy rates are reported among FDRs and little is known about the proband disclosure process. A better understanding of the barriers surrounding colonoscopy and disclosure is needed., Methods: CRC probands ( n  = 16) and FDRs ( n  = 9), recruited from a Canadian CRC Consortium, completed interviews to determine barriers to disclosure and colonoscopy, respectively. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis and participants' motivation to disclose to FDRs or undertake colonoscopy was categorized into Stages of Change (i.e., Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, or Maintenance) using the transtheoretical model., Results: 25% of probands had not disclosed to any first-degree kin and were categorized in the Precontemplation or Contemplation Stage of Change. Barriers to disclosure included lack of information, negative expectations about familial reaction, assuming FDRs were aware of risk or already being screened, dysfunctional family dynamics, and cultural barriers. 75% of FDRs were categorized in the Precontemplation or Contemplation Stage of Change. Barriers included negative perceptions about colonoscopy, health-care provider related factors, practical concerns, and lack of information about CRC, risk, and colonoscopy., Conclusions: In the absence of barriers such as cost and accessibility, this Canadian sample still reported several challenges to disclosure and colonoscopy adherence. Future research should explore interventions such as motivational interviewing to improve proband disclosure and to increase FDR adherence to colonoscopy., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.

This study examined the differences in perceptions of one's health and one's child's health between parents with Lynch syndrome (LS) characterized with high versus low health anxiety. Twenty-one parents completed semistructured telephone interviews about their perceptions of their own health and the health of their children. Qualitative content analysis using a template coding approach examined the differences between parents with high and low health anxiety. Findings revealed that the most prevalent difference emerged on perceptions of personal health, showing individuals with high health anxiety reported more extreme worries, were more hypervigilant about physical symptoms, experienced the emotional and psychological consequences of LS as more negative and severe, and engaged in more dysfunctional coping strategies than those with low health anxiety. Unexpectedly, with regards to perceptions of their children, parents in the high and low health anxiety groups exhibited similar worries. However, high health anxiety parents reported using dysfunctional coping about their children's health more frequently than those with low health anxiety. The findings suggest that health anxiety is of clinical significance for individuals with LS. Accurately identifying and treating health anxiety among this population may be one avenue to reduce the distress experienced by LS carriers., (© 2019 National Society of Genetic Counselors.)

Purpose/objective: Perceived cognitive impairment is a common concern among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and is associated with prevalent psychological symptoms, namely depression and anxiety. The mechanisms by which these psychological symptoms are associated with perceived cognitive impairment among people diagnosed with MS have been unexplored. A possible mechanism is rumination, a maladaptive form of self-reflection that is commonly associated with anxiety and depression. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of symptoms of anxiety and depression with perceived cognitive impairment, and to examine whether anxiety and depression indirectly affect cognitive impairment through rumination. Research Method/Design: The study utilized a cross-sectional observational design. People diagnosed with MS (N = 111) were recruited from an MS clinic in Toronto, and through the community. Participants completed self-report questionnaires that included the Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychological Screening Questionnaire (MSNQ), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Rumination-Reflection Questionnaire (RRQ). Two indirect effect statistical analyses were conducted using bootstrapping techniques., Results: We found a positive association between both symptoms of depression and anxiety and perceived cognitive impairment. Moreover, psychological symptoms were related to perceived cognitive impairment indirectly through rumination, indicating ruminative thinking style may be implicated in the relationship between anxiety, depression, and perceived cognitive impairment., Conclusions/implications: These findings provide additional support for previous research examining the relationship between psychological symptoms (e.g., anxiety and depression) and perceived cognitive impairment, and enrich our understanding of a potential mechanism driving these relationships. (PsycINFO Database Record, ((c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).)

Background: Data are lacking regarding physical functioning, psychological well-being, and quality of life among colorectal cancer survivors >10 years postdiagnosis., Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine self-reported physical functioning, quality of life, and psychological well-being in long-term colorectal cancer survivors compared with age- and sex-matched unaffected control subjects., Design: Participants completed a cross-sectional survey., Settings: The colorectal cancer survivors and unaffected control subjects were recruited from the Ontario Familial Colorectal Cancer Registry., Patients: A population-based sample of colorectal cancer survivors (N = 296) and their age- and sex-matched unaffected control subjects (N = 255) were included. Survivors were, on average, 15 years postdiagnosis., Main Outcome Measures: Quality of life was measured with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General scale, bowel dysfunction with the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center scale, urinary dysfunction with the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form, fatigue with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scale, and depression with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale., Results: In linear mixed-model analyses adjusting for income, education, race, and comorbid medical conditions, survivors reported good emotional, functional, physical, and overall quality of life, comparable to control subjects. Fatigue and urinary functioning did not differ significantly between survivors and control subjects. Survivors reported significantly higher social quality of life and lower depression compared with unaffected control subjects. The only area where survivors reported significantly worse deficits was in bowel dysfunction, but the magnitude of differences was relatively small., Limitations: Generalizability is limited by moderately low participation rates. Findings are likely biased toward healthy participants. No baseline assessment was available to examine change in outcomes over time., Conclusions: Long-term colorectal cancer survivors appear to have comparable quality of life and, in some areas, better well-being than their unaffected peers. Bowel dysfunction may continue to be an ongoing issue even 15 years after colorectal cancer diagnosis. Overall quality of life can be expected to be good in this group of older survivors. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A476.

Objective: Couples facing multiple sclerosis (MS) report significantly elevated rates of relationship distress, yet the effects of attachment have never been examined in this population. We examined whether hostile conflict mediated the dyadic effects of attachment on relationship adjustment in couples facing MS and whether these associations were moderated by gender or role. We also explored whether dyadic adjustment mediated the relationship between attachment and hostile conflict., Design: The study was cross-sectional and included 103 couples in which one partner had been diagnosed with MS., Methods: Participants completed the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and Aversive Interactions Scale, as well as demographic variables. We used the actor-partner interdependence model for data analysis., Results: There were significant actor and partner effects of greater anxious attachment and worse dyadic adjustment. Actor and partner effects of anxious attachment were significantly mediated by greater hostile conflict. Gender significantly moderated the effects between avoidant attachment and dyadic adjustment. The actor effect was significant for males and females; the partner effect was only significant for females. The actor effect for females but not males was significantly mediated by greater hostile conflict. Role was not a significant moderator. Exploratory analyses also showed that dyadic adjustment mediated the relationship between anxious and avoidant attachment and hostile conflict., Conclusions: Findings highlight the important effects of attachment on relationship adjustment in MS couples. Both hostile conflict and dyadic adjustment appear to be mechanisms through which insecure attachment has a detrimental effect. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Despite higher-than-normal rates of marital distress and separation/divorce, the effects of attachment on relationship adjustment among couples facing multiple sclerosis have never been examined. Prior studies within healthy populations have supported within-person and cross-dyadic associations between attachment and relationship adjustment; however, they have failed to use dyadic analyses. Hostile conflict has been associated with both insecure attachment and relationship adjustment and therefore may be an important mediator to help understand these relationships. What does this study add? Women were more negatively affected by their partner's avoidant attachment then men. Hostile conflict mediated the effects of anxious attachment on dyadic adjustment for individuals and across dyads. Hostile conflict accounted for the individual effect of avoidant attachment on dyadic adjustment for women., (© 2017 The British Psychological Society.)

Objective: Previous research has suggested that gay men facing prostate cancer may be particularly vulnerable to poor illness adjustment. Moreover, although attachment and greater disclosure of sexual orientation have been associated with health outcomes, their associations in this population have been largely unexamined. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether greater outness about one's sexual orientation significantly mediated the associations between anxious and avoidant attachment and illness intrusiveness among gay men with prostate cancer., Methods: Ninety-two gay and bisexual men who had received a diagnosis of prostate cancer in the past 4 years were recruited for the present study. Self-report questionnaires assessed demographic and medical variables, attachment, outness level and comfort, and illness intrusiveness. Bootstrapping procedures were used to assess for mediation., Results: Results suggested significant associations between anxious attachment, outness comfort, and illness intrusiveness. Less comfort with outness significantly mediated the association between greater anxious attachment and more illness intrusiveness. Avoidant attachment was not significantly associated with illness intrusiveness., Conclusions: Findings support the mediating role of the subjective experience of being an out gay man in the association between anxious attachment and illness intrusiveness. These results suggest that facilitating greater comfort with outness would be beneficial for illness adjustment among gay men with prostate cancer whom have more anxious attachment styles. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., (Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

This study investigated the extent to which intolerance of uncertainty was associated with cancer worry interference, anxiety and depression among women with Lynch syndrome (LS), and whether having greater trust in one's physician moderated those relationships. Women with confirmed LS (N = 128) were recruited from a high-risk of cancer registry and completed a one-time self-report questionnaire. Women who reported greater intolerance of uncertainty and more trust in their physician reported less cancer worry interference compared to women who had greater intolerance of uncertainty and less trust in their physician, who reported the highest worry interference, b = -1.39, t(99) = -2.27, p = .03. No moderation effect of trust in physician was found for anxiety or depression. Trust in one's physician buffered the impact of high intolerance of uncertainty on cancer worry interference, underscoring the need for supportive provider-patient relationships, particularly for LS patients.

Currently, there is a lack of evidence evaluating the psychological impact of cancer-related risk perception and worry in individuals at high risk for gastric cancer. We examined the relationships between perceived risk, cancer worry and screening behaviors among first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with familial gastric cancer. FDRs of patients diagnosed with familial gastric cancer with a non-informative genetic analysis were identified and contacted. Participants completed a telephone interview that assessed socio-demographic information, cancer risk perception, cancer worry, impact of worry on daily functioning, and screening behaviors. Twenty-five FDRs completed the telephone interview. Participants reported high levels of comparative and absolute cancer risk perception, with an average perceived lifetime risk of 54 %. On the other hand, cancer-related worry scores were low, with a significant minority (12 %) experiencing high levels of worry. Study participants exhibited high levels of confidence (median = 70 %) in the effectiveness of screening at detecting a curable cancer. Participants that had undergone screening in the past showed significantly lower levels of cancer-related worry compared to those that had never undergone screening. In conclusion, individuals at high-risk for gastric cancer perceived a very high personal risk of cancer, but reported low levels of cancer worry. This paradoxical result may be attributed to participants' high levels of confidence in the effectiveness of screening. These findings highlight the importance for clinicians to discuss realistic risk appraisals and expectations towards screening with unaffected members of families at risk for gastric cancer, in an effort to help mitigate anxiety and help with coping.

Objective: Limited research has investigated the psychosocial processes that underpin the effect of physical symptoms on fear of cancer recurrence. Additionally, despite evidence of increased vulnerability of marginalized populations to negative outcomes, few studies have examined the unique experience of gay men coping with the cancer process. The goals of this study were to determine whether disease-related self-efficacy and satisfaction with medical care mediated the relationship between greater physical symptoms and worse fear of recurrence among gay or bisexual prostate cancer survivors., Methods: Participants were composed of 92 self-identified gay or bisexual men, who had received a diagnosis of prostate cancer in the past 4 years. Participants provided demographic information and completed self-report questionnaires that assessed symptom function, self-efficacy for prostate cancer symptoms, satisfaction with healthcare, and fear of recurrence. Bootstrapping procedures were used to assess for significant mediation., Results: Results suggested significant mediation of the relationship between each of bowel, hormonal, and sexual function with fear of recurrence by self-efficacy and satisfaction with healthcare. Mediation was not significantly supported for the association between urinary function and fear of recurrence., Conclusions: Findings support the explanatory effects of self-efficacy for symptom management and satisfaction with healthcare on the relationship between symptom function and fear of recurrence. These results indicate that psychological processes, specifically psychological factors that hold particular relevance to gay or bisexual men, reflect a potential avenue for intervention to decrease fear of cancer recurrence., (Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Objective: To create informational tools for breast cancer patients with low levels of health literacy., Methods: Tools were developed through a three-stage process. (1) Focus groups were conducted with breast cancer survivors and interviews were held with health educators to determine content, source of information, format and medium of the tools. (2) Based on this feedback, a suite of tools was developed. (3) Focus groups were reconvened and health educators re-interviewed to obtain feedback and determine satisfaction., Results: We developed a suite of five informational tools using low health literacy principles, which focused on learning about breast cancer resources and learning about the members of one's healthcare team, understanding the "journey" or trajectory of care beginning at diagnosis, hearing from other breast cancer patients about their own journey, and becoming informed about what to expect pre-and post-surgery for breast cancer. The final products were rated highly by breast cancer survivors., Conclusion: The developed materials, designed for patients who read below an 8th grade level, reflect the informational needs reported by breast cancer patients., Practice Implications: Healthcare providers must consider utilizing design principles and theories of adult learning appropriate for those with low health literacy., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: Control conditions are the primary methodology used to reduce threats to internal validity in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This meta-analysis examined the effects of control arm design and implementation on outcomes in RCTs examining psychological treatments for depression. A search of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and EMBASE identified all RCTs evaluating psychological treatments for depression published through June 2009. Data were analyzed using mixed-effects models. One hundred twenty-five trials were identified yielding 188 comparisons. Outcomes varied significantly depending control condition design (p < 0.0001). Significantly smaller effect sizes were seen when control arms used manualization (p = 0.006), therapist training (p = 0.002), therapist supervision (p = 0.009), and treatment fidelity monitoring (p = 0.003). There were no significant effects for differences in therapist experience, level of expertise in the treatment delivered, or nesting vs. crossing therapists in treatment arms. These findings demonstrate the substantial effect that decisions regarding control arm definition and implementation can have on RCT outcomes.

Introduction: Gay men with prostate cancer (GMPCa) may have differential health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and sexual health outcomes than heterosexual men with prostate cancer (PCa), but existing information is based on clinical experience and small studies., Aims: Our goals were to: (i) describe HRQOL and examine changes in sexual functioning and bother; (ii) explore the psychosocial aspects of sexual health after PCa; and (iii) examine whether there were significant differences on HRQOL and sexual behavior between GMPCa and published norms., Methods: A convenience sample of GMPCa completed validated disease-specific and general measures of HRQOL, ejaculatory function and bother, fear of cancer recurrence, and satisfaction with prostate cancer care. Measures of self-efficacy for PCa management, illness intrusiveness, and disclosure of sexual orientation were also completed. Where possible, scores were compared against published norms., Main Outcome Measures: Main outcome measures were self-reported sexual functioning and bother on the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index., Results: Compared with norms, GMPCa reported significantly worse functioning and more severe bother scores on urinary, bowel, hormonal symptom scales (Ps < 0.015-0.0001), worse mental health functioning (P < 0.0001), greater fear of cancer recurrence (P < 0.0001), and were more dissatisfied with their PCa medical care. However, GMPCa reported better sexual functioning scores (P < 0.002) compared with norms. Many of the observed differences met criteria for clinical significance. Physical functioning HRQOL and sexual bother scores were similar to that of published samples. GMPCa tended to be more "out" about their sexual orientation than other samples of gay men., Conclusions: GMPCa reported substantial changes in sexual functioning after PCa treatment. They also reported significantly worse disease-specific and general HRQOL, fear of recurrence, and were less satisfied with their medical care than other published PCa samples. Sexual health providers must have an awareness of the unique functional and HRQOL differences between gay and heterosexual men with PCa., (© 2014 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

Background: This study examined attachment style as a moderator of the relationship between childhood abuse and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-related outcomes., Methods: Study participants were 205 patients with IBD from Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. Participants completed self-report questionnaires regarding personal relationships, abuse history, and IBD-related information. Multiple regression models were fit using 3 outcome variables: disease-related quality of life (QOL), disease activity for ulcerative colitis, and disease activity for Crohn's disease., Results: Patients reporting less severe abuse and low levels of avoidant attachment had the highest levels of QOL, whereas patients reporting high levels of avoidant attachment had the lowest levels of QOL, regardless of abuse severity. Patients reporting greater anxious attachment had lower QOL scores. Patients reporting less severe abuse and low levels of avoidant attachment had the lowest levels of disease activity, whereas patients reporting high levels of avoidant attachment had the highest levels of ulcerative colitis-related disease activity, regardless of abuse severity. However, for anxious attachment, there was no significant main effect or significant interaction of abuse by anxious attachment on ulcerative colitis-related disease activity. Childhood abuse and attachment style were not found to be associated with Crohn's disease-related disease activity., Conclusions: Adult attachment style may moderate the relationship between childhood abuse and IBD-related outcomes, by impacting one's QOL and disease activity. Distinct types of insecure attachment styles may impact these relationships differently. Psychological interventions focusing on attachment styles of patients with IBD have the potential to improve IBD-related QOL and disease activity.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to assess change in sitting and physical activity behavior in response to a workplace intervention to disrupt prolonged sitting time., Methods: Sixty office workers were randomized to either a Stand group (n = 29), which received hourly prompts (computer-based and wrist-worn) to stand up, or a Step group (n = 31), which received the same hourly prompts and an additional prompt to walk 100 steps or more upon standing. An ActivPAL monitor was used to assess sitting and physical activity behavior on the same 3 consecutive workdays during baseline and intervention periods. Mixed-effect models with random intercepts and random slopes for time were performed to assess change between groups and across time., Results: Both groups significantly reduced duration of average sitting bouts (Stand group, by 16%; Step group, by 19%) and the number of sitting bouts of 60 minutes or more (Step group, by 36%; Stand group, by 54%). The Stand group significantly reduced total sitting time (by 6.6%), duration of the longest sitting bout (by 29%), and number of sitting bouts of 30 minutes or more (by 13%) and increased the number of sit-to-stand transitions (by 15%) and standing time (by 23%). Stepping time significantly increased in the Stand (by 14%) and Step (by 29%) groups, but only the Step group significantly increased (by 35%) the number of steps per workday. Differences in changes from baseline to intervention between groups were not significant for any outcome., Conclusion: Interventions that focus on disrupting sitting time only in the workplace may result in less sitting. When sitting time disruptions are paired with a physical activity prompt, people may be more likely to increase their workday physical activity, but the effect on sitting time may be attenuated.

The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between sedentary behavior (SB), physical activity (PA), and body fat (total, abdominal) or body size (body-mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC]) in community-dwelling adults 50 yr old and over. This study included 232 ambulatory adults (50-87 yr, 37.4% ± 9.6% body fat [BF]). Average daily time spent in SB (<100 counts/min) and light (100-759 counts/min), lifestyle-moderate (760-1,951 counts/min), walking-moderate (1,952-5,724 cts/min), and vigorous-intensity (≥ 5,725 counts/min) PA were determined by accelerometer and corrected for wear time. BF was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. SB was positively related to measures of BF. Measures of SB, PA, and gender accounted for 55.6% of the variance in total BF, 32.4% of the variance in abdominal fat, and 28.0% of the variance in WC. SB, PA, and age accounted for 27.1% of the variance in BMI. Time spent in SB should be considered when designing obesity interventions for adults 50 yr old and over.

Background: Few studies have investigated both the self-perceived and measured environment with objectively determined physical activity in older adults. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to examine measured and perceived environmental associations with physical activity of older adults residing across different neighborhood types., Methods: One-hundred and forty-eight older individuals, mean age 64.3 ± 8.4, were randomly recruited from one of four neighborhoods that were pre-determined as either having high- or low walkable characteristics. Individual residences were geocoded and 200 m network buffers established. Both objective environment audit, and self-perceived environmental measures were collected, in conjunction with accelerometer derived physical activity behavior. Using both perceived and objective environment data, analysis consisted of a macro-level comparison of physical activity levels across neighborhood, and a micro-level analysis of individual environmental predictors of physical activity levels., Results: Individuals residing in high-walkable neighborhoods on average engaged in 11 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day more than individuals residing in low-walkable neighborhoods. Both measured access to non-residential destinations (b = .11, p < .001) and self-perceived access to non-residential uses (b = 2.89, p = .031) were significant predictors of time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity. Other environmental variables significantly predicting components of physical activity behavior included presence of measured neighborhood crime signage (b = .4785, p = .031), measured street safety (b = 26.8, p = .006), and perceived neighborhood satisfaction (b = .5.8, p = .003)., Conclusions: Older adult residents who live in high-walkable neighborhoods, who have easy and close access to nonresidential destinations, have lower social dysfunction pertinent to crime, and generally perceive the neighborhood to a higher overall satisfaction are likely to engage in higher levels of physical activity behavior. Efforts aimed at promoting more walkable neighborhoods could influence activity levels in older adults.

This study compared step counts detected by four, low-cost, objective, physical-activity-assessment instruments and evaluated their ability to detect moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) compared to the ActiGraph accelerometer (AG). Thirty-six 10-11-year-old children wore the NL-1000, Yamax Digiwalker SW 200, Omron HJ-151, and Walk4Life MVP concurrently with the AG during school hours on a single day. AG MVPA was derived from activity count data using previously validated cut points. Two of the evaluated instruments provided similar group mean MVPA and step counts compared to AG (dependent on cut point). Low-cost instruments may be useful for measurement of both MVPA and steps in children's physical activity interventions and program evaluation.

Background: Emerging interest in the health impacts of sedentary behaviors has driven the exploration of objective instrumentation capable of capturing these behaviors. The purpose was to compare (under laboratory conditions) outputs from ActiGraph (AG), Intelligent Device for Energy Expenditure and Physical Activity (IDEEA), and activPAL Professional (AP) against direct observation (DO) in sedentary, standing, and active behaviors; and assess convergent validity of instrument outputs under free-living conditions., Methods: Participants (13 males/16 females; 28.9 ± 6.2 years) wore instruments concurrently during laboratory and free-living studies. AG cutpoints of ≤50, <100, and ≤259 counts/minute were used to determine time in sedentary behaviors. Laboratory data were evaluated using mean percent error. Free-living data were analyzed using dependent t tests and RM ANOVA., Results: AP precisely measured all identified DO behaviors under laboratory conditions; IDEEA precisely identified sitting and standing. For the free-living study, there was no difference in sedentary time detected by AP and IDEEA but a significant difference was observed in standing time. No difference was apparent between AP and AG259 in sit/lie/stand or ambulatory activity time., Conclusions: In a laboratory setting, the utility of all instruments to classify activities into behavioral categories was confirmed. This may enhance research on sedentary behaviors and health-related outcomes.

Background: The number of days of pedometer or accelerometer data needed to reliably assess physical activity (PA) is important for research that examines the relationship with health. While this important research has been completed in young to middle-aged adults, data is lacking in older adults. Further, data determining the number of days of self-reports PA data is also void. The purpose of this study was to examine the number of days needed to predict habitual PA and sedentary behaviour across pedometer, accelerometer, and physical activity log (PA log) data in older adults., Methods: Participants (52 older men and women; age = 69.3 ± 7.4 years, range= 55-86 years) wore a Yamax Digiwalker SW-200 pedometer and an ActiGraph 7164 accelerometer while completing a PA log for 21 consecutive days. Mean differences each instrument and intensity between days of the week were examined using separate repeated measures analysis of variance for with pairwise comparisons. Spearman-Brown Prophecy Formulae based on Intraclass Correlations of .80, .85, .90 and .95 were used to predict the number of days of accelerometer or pedometer wear or PA log daily records needed to represent total PA, light PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA, and sedentary behaviour., Results: Results of this study showed that three days of accelerometer data, four days of pedometer data, or four days of completing PA logs are needed to accurately predict PA levels in older adults. When examining time spent in specific intensities of PA, fewer days of data are needed for accurate prediction of time spent in that activity for ActiGraph but more for the PA log. To accurately predict average daily time spent in sedentary behaviour, five days of ActiGraph data are needed., Conclusions: The number days of objective (pedometer and ActiGraph) and subjective (PA log) data needed to accurately estimate daily PA in older adults was relatively consistent. Despite no statistical differences between days for total PA by the pedometer and ActiGraph, the magnitude of differences between days suggests that day of the week cannot be completely ignored in the design and analysis of PA studies that involve < 7-day monitoring protocols for these instruments. More days of accelerometer data were needed to determine typical sedentary behaviour than PA level in this population of older adults.

Background: The Joint Canada/United States Survey of Health (JCUSH) was a one-time collaborative survey undertaken by Statistics Canada and the National Center for Health Statistics., Methods: This analysis provides country-, sex-, and age-specific comparative markers of adult obesity and sedentarism, defined as independent and collective groupings of self-reported leisure-time inactivity (<1.5 MET-hours/day), usual occupational sitting, and no/low active transportation (<1 hour/week). Logistic regression assessed the likelihood of sedentarism in U.S. vs. Canada, with and without adjusting for BMI-defined obesity categories: healthy weight (18.5 ≤ BMI <25 kg/m2; n = 3542), overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m2; n = 2,651), and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2; n = 1470)., Results: Compared with Canadians, U.S. adults are 24% more likely to be overweight/ obese, 59% more likely to be inactive in leisure-time, 19% more likely to report no/low active transportation, and 39% more likely to collectively report all sedentarism markers, adjusting for sex and age. Focusing on obese individuals in both countries, obese U.S. residents were 90% more likely to be inactive during leisure-time, 41% more likely to report no/low active transportation, and 73% more likely to report all sedentarism markers., Conclusions: This ecological analysis sheds light on differential risks of obesity and sedentarism in these neighboring countries.

Purpose: To examine the convergent validity of the ActiGraph and activPAL accelerometers with the Bouchard Activity Record (BAR) in adults. Sedentary behavior and walking were evaluated in all instruments; standing and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was evaluated only in those that detected such variables., Methods: Thirty-two participants wore the accelerometers and completed the BAR concurrently for 1 d. Descriptive statistics and delta values were reported for all instruments. Summary time spent in sedentary behavior and walking was compared between all instruments using repeated-measures ANOVA. Dependent t-tests were used to analyze summary time in 1) standing between activPAL and BAR and 2) MVPA between ActiGraph and BAR. Bland-Altman plots were interpreted for systematic bias. On a detailed level, concurrent time interval data were compared using mean percent agreement and κ statistics., Results: There was a significant difference found in summary time spent in sedentary behavior apparent between ActiGraph and activPAL as well as between ActiGraph and BAR. There was also a significant difference detected in time spent in walking, apparent between ActiGraph and activPAL, and between ActiGraph and BAR. In the time interval analysis, mean percent agreement ranged from 54.0% (for walking detected by ActiGraph and activPAL) to 86.7% (for MVPA by ActiGraph and BAR). κ values ranged from 0.25 (for walking by ActiGraph and activPAL) to 0.70 (for sedentary behavior between activPAL and BAR). Differences were also found in standing and MVPA., Conclusions: The activPAL and BAR showed convergence on both summary and concurrent time interval levels in both sedentary behavior and walking. The comparative discordance between activPAL and BAR with ActiGraph was likely a function of different approaches used to distinguish sedentary behavior from walking.

Background: The accumulation of physical activity (PA) throughout the day has been suggested as a means to increase PA behavior. It is not known, however, if accumulated PA results in equivalent increases in PA behavior compared with one continuous session. The purpose of this investigation was to compare changes in PA between participants assigned to walk daily in accumulated shorter bouts vs. one continuous session., Methods: In this 8-week randomized controlled trial, 60 inactive women were randomly assigned to one of the following: (1) control group, (2) 30 minutes a day of walking 5 days a week in one continuous long bout (LB), or (3) three short 10-minute bouts (SB) of walking a day, all at a prescribed heart rate intensity. Walking was assessed by pedometer and self-reported walking log. Before and after measures were taken of average steps/day, resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), resting heart rate (RHR), six-minute walk test (6MWT) distance, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and hip and waist circumference., Results: Both walking groups significantly increased PA measured as steps/day compared to controls (p < 0.001), and no significant differences were found between LB and SB groups. The LB group demonstrated significant decreases in hip circumference and significant increases in 6MWT distance compared to the control group., Conclusions: Both walking groups significantly increased PA participation. LB group participants completed more walking at a higher intensity than the SB and control groups, which resulted in significant increases in health benefits.

Background: This study evaluated the utility of several lower cost physical activity (PA) assessment instruments for detecting PA volume (steps) and intensity (time in MVPA or activity time) using convergent methods of assessment., Methods: Participants included 26 adults (9 male) age 27.3 ± 7.1 years with a BMI of 23.8 ± 2.8 kg/m2. Instruments evaluated included the Omron HJ-151 (OM), New Lifestyles NL-1000 (NL), Walk4Life W4L Pro (W4L), and ActiGraph GT1M (AG). Participants wore all instruments during a laboratory phase, consisting of 10 single minute treadmill walking bouts ranging in speed from 40 to 112 m/min, and immediate following the laboratory phase and during the remainder of their free-living day (11.3 ± 1.5 hours). Previously validated AG MVPA cutpoints were used for comparison with OM, NL, and W4L MVPA or activity time outputs during the laboratory and free-living phase., Results: OM and NL produced similar MVPA estimates during free-living to commonly used AG walking cutpoints, and W4L activity time estimates were similar to one AG lifestyle cutpoint evaluated., Conclusion: Current findings indicate that the OM, NL, and W4L, ranging in price from $15 to $49, can provide reasonable estimates of free-living MVPA or activity time in comparison with a range of AG walking and lifestyle cutpoints.

Correction to Tudor-Locke C, Hart TL, Washington TL: Expected values for pedometer-determined physical activity in older populations. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2009, 6:59.

Using high statistics samples of charged-current numu interactions, the MiniBooNE [corrected] Collaboration reports a measurement of the single-charged-pion production to quasielastic cross section ratio on mineral oil (CH2), both with and without corrections for hadron reinteractions in the target nucleus. The result is provided as a function of neutrino energy in the range 0.4 GeV

The MiniBooNE Collaboration reports a search for nu&#95;{micro} and nu[over]&#95;{micro} disappearance in the Deltam;{2} region of 0.5-40 eV;{2}. These measurements are important for constraining models with extra types of neutrinos, extra dimensions, and CPT violation. Fits to the shape of the nu&#95;{micro} and nu[over]&#95;{micro} energy spectra reveal no evidence for disappearance at the 90% confidence level (C.L.) in either mode. The test of nu[over]&#95;{micro} disappearance probes a region below Deltam;{2} = 40 eV;{2} never explored before.

Objective: To assemble expected values for free-living steps/day in special populations living with chronic illnesses and disabilities., Method: Studies identified since 2000 were categorized into similar illnesses and disabilities, capturing the original reference, sample descriptions, descriptions of instruments used (i.e., pedometers, piezoelectric pedometers, accelerometers), number of days worn, and mean and standard deviation of steps/day., Results: Sixty unique studies represented: 1) heart and vascular diseases, 2) chronic obstructive lung disease, 3) diabetes and dialysis, 4) breast cancer, 5) neuromuscular diseases, 6) arthritis, joint replacement, and fibromyalgia, 7) disability (including mental retardation/intellectual difficulties), and 8) other special populations. A median steps/day was calculated for each category. Waist-mounted and ankle-mounted instruments were considered separately due to fundamental differences in assessment properties. For waist-mounted instruments, the lowest median values for steps/day are found in disabled older adults (1214 steps/day) followed by people living with COPD (2237 steps/day). The highest values were seen in individuals with Type 1 diabetes (8008 steps/day), mental retardation/intellectual disability (7787 steps/day), and HIV (7545 steps/day)., Conclusion: This review will be useful to researchers/practitioners who work with individuals living with chronic illness and disability and require such information for surveillance, screening, intervention, and program evaluation purposes.